A hard to find sci-fi Detroit techno classic gets a timely reissue complete with a new, super solid Delano Smith remix. It’s hard not to love the original in all its futuristic glory, led by a sturdy four-to-the-floor pummelling but boasting a throbbing neo-disco bassline – imagine a lost Gorgio Moroder classic being remade by Jeff Mills in PurposeMaker mode. But the Delano Smith remix updates it for modern palates, ironically by delving back even further, to the early 70s model Kraftwerk from whom he borrows some very austere but classy synth sounds and a touch of electro syncopation.
Neapolitan producer Partenope certainly wears a big Underground Resistance influence on his sleeve in the case of ‘Odysseya’ – it’s even mentioned in the press release, and we’re not going to argue either. But it’s no bad thing, especially as it’s a general love of the soulful, uplifting, musical end of the techno scale rather than a creative plunder of any UR track in particular. The label has pulled out the big guns with a Gerd Janson remix to accompany it too, and Janson certainly delivers with his warm production bringing out the best via three way acid trance techno hybrid.
‘Advanced Process’ presents itself as a distinguished LP, oozing with Marcello Giordani’s innate talent to evolve the classic Italo Disco sound into consistently ear catching productions of the future. Crisp, analog drum machines and glistening synthwork are a constant. Giordani captivates you with compelling arrangements and considered hints to electro in the likes of ‘Metamorphosis’. Powerful vocals from Fred Ventura and Ready In LED feature on the two alluring singles ‘Mysterious Calls (In The Night)’ and ‘Fase Rem’. Encapsulating, intelligent acid work is heard in ‘Forbidden Pleasures’. Marcello’s clear love for analogue authenticity is at the forefront of this LP. Crisp, analog drum machines and glistening synthwork are a constant.
Cyrk with some fierce ruling electro tracks on Cultivated Electronics. The title track Attack of the Blow Up Dolls is a robotic electro cut, while the other three tunes are smooth and at times remind us of some of the classic I-f releases with bubbly analogue basslines, frantic synths and relentless electro beats.
The K Lost Acid Dub series makes it come back with the third output with more reinterpretations/remixes of inspiring tracks from the past. This record challenges the trainspotters for a game of sample hunting. Of course, like the earlier ones, there is loads of acid.
Around the year 1990, a group of producers gathered regularly at a space called „Blaues Zimmer“ (Blue Room), located at Bergheimer Strasse, Heidelberg. The Blue Room was the studio of Dirk Mantei aka Dman and David Moufang (Move D) calls it the one of the ‘Keimzellen’ (seeds) for what would happen in regards to the electronic music movement within the Rhein-Main-Area during the following 10 years. The 90s were roaring, with a lot of mid-sized cities located relatively close to each other- Heidelberg, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Darmstadt- and Frankfurt was easily reached. Various highly influential clubs and parties happened around that time and Dirk and David had their parts. Between 2011 and 2021, they both found themselves in David’s Studio from time to time, Dirk was living in Mannheim and some sessions resulted in a bunch of yet unreleased tracks that slept on hard drives ever since then.
Body Musick presents ‘Abductions’ split EP by Antonio Barbetta & Filmmaker. Frankfurt-based Antonio a.k.a Raw Ambassador, who previously released on labels like Natural Sciences & Mannequin Records, unleashes four tracks with his signature rawness and minimal synth approach that has been sounding with plenty elements that Filmmaker also resonates with. Like two brothers from different but close worlds, they finally meet in this electro junction that resembles some of the classic sounds from Detroit type beats in their own analogue vision and interpretation.
‘Enter My Lair’ is an ode to cinematic aesthetics. Whether through slomo doom techno or raw EBM, it recounts tales of blood-drenched dungeons haunted by evil spirits, over-the-top police chases, and epic battles from the Viking and Roman eras.
Itako hails from Strasbourg , France. His music creation speciality is blending an array of consciousness-expanding sounds over slower electro and technoid beats. His debut album “Broken Material” on SonicGroove splashes acid, dashes Body music basslines , and sprinkles Belgian New Beat over a ten song album creating a perfect concoction of sci fiction cyber psychodelia that will you drive you into unexplored dimensions.
Chris Mitchell is back on Dead Channel, delivering 7 tracks of mutated psych-apocalyptic acid, icy minimal wave, and blown out machined rhythms. Dense hammered percussion, kicking you straight in the sternum, sends you reeling into the abyss. Dire, unsettling vocals dowsed in gritty, unrelenting squelched out 303 madness. Spectral atmospherics blanket bit-crushed drums in a disconcerting fog. With ‘Rip Run Ride Die’, Mitchell melds a black sea of contorted electronics into a twisted, utterly unique vision that pulls you under..
Cristiano Grim is back with the second number of his experimental zine/compilation , FAKE2-120AMERICA. Obsessed by the work of the cult poet Pierpaolo Pasolini and his seedy film “Salo or 120 Days of Sodom” , the original short story behind by Marquis De Sade and Dante’ s “Divine Comedy” structure which Pasolini mirrored during his screenwriting session with Sergio Citti, Cristiano Grim coded that “ anarchy of the power” in the contemporary North American society, through a desecrating prose and poignant portraits of a country drowned in 3 masochist “circles” : BLOOD, MANIAS and SHIT. Original film photography was taken in the streets and the underground scenes of New York, Memphis, Nashville, Durham, Virginia and South Carolina. Jonathan Castro nailed his second collaboration with Cristiano Grim , disrupting his photography with a spirited overexposed technique and metallic colors. Music by : Alessandro Adriani which featured the whole A side of the release with 3 tracks with the contribution of Cosimo Damiano and Riccardo Chiaretti, legendary IDM musician CEX, Italian psychedelic duo Mushrooms Project, Californian musician Aaron Coyes (1/2 Peaking Lights), italian ambient musician Alexia Robbio, Roman techno producer Ida Mandato, New York industrial band INTRZN, Riga’s sound artist Reinis Semevics, San Francisco’s video artist and musician YNV, mystery vocalist VETA DAY.
Never Been is the first collaborative release by Loradeniz and Interstellar Funk, who produced the EP at a Volkshotel artist residency in Amsterdam, in 2021. The record examines the interplay of synthetic melodies and Loradeniz’s vocals, which are underpinned by meticulously crafted rhythms. Steeped in melancholy, many of the tracks on Never Been evoke the essence of departure, complex emotions and fading memories.
Borgo Dora is a multiethnic neighborhood located in the centre of Torino. A perfect example of inclusion between different people from (mainly) the Mediterranean area and home to Porta Palazzo, the largest open-air market in Europe. In 1991, a newly born studio located in the middle of the district guided by Biagio Puma decided to give birth to a dance LP called Teknoafro with the support of local Techno dj Bart Spinelli. The title almost speaks for itself, mixing the Italian “Afro” dj culture and the new Akai samplers with 909-driven Techno rhythms. The result was impressive, giving birth to a quite unique recording that reveals many aspects of the ’90s Italian dance creativity and tapestry. Dualismo Sound comes with a fully remastered selection of 6 tracks taken from the original LP.
From over the hills and far away, the cobblers and their boots are here to stay. The sartorial scallywags return with another collection of kaleidoscopic, Italo-tinged party pleasers. First off the block, London royalty Super Drama team up with homeboy Kayroy for ‘Something New’, a cut of propulsive glitterball synth-funk, with just the right amount of cowbell. Next up, Italy’s Disco Mortale and Futuristant take us for a tour of the dark side, with cyborg vocoders and cyberpunk arpeggios painting a vivid dreamscape of neon and steel. ‘Until Forever’ flirts the line between sinful and sincere, abandoning you to the rise of the machines, and a dance-off to the death. Flip that wax and step on the gas because Gabto reunites with collaborator Kauan Marco for the colossally cool ‘Ki Ko Ho’. These brilliant Brazilians have delivered a bonafide gem, complete with drums that hit you in all the right places, and a killer synthesiser solo – brilliant stuff. For the cherry on top, Marching Machines bring their intoxicating and hypnotic flavour of Belgian chug and psychedelic dark disco to the table with the festival-ready epic ‘Seraphic’ – molto bene! An electrifyingly eclectic and adventurous collection of toe-tappers and hip-snappers, made with love and coming soon to a discoteca near you.
One of Stockholm’s finest exports, Elfenberg arrive at Bordello with four slices of synthesizer goodness. The duo open with “Forever Alone”. A cruising arpeggiator steers its way through glistening snares, rolling kicks and classic italo vocals. Night falls in the jungle “Conga Coronation”. The treetops bristle with birdsong, thickets of bongos, toms and rain sticks lead a path to dawning melodies. A wonderfully textured percussive piece, the track is intricately carved and demonstrates the diversity and depth of Elfenberg. The disco dipped futurism of “Sphere Of Missing Out” follows. Echoes of “Conga Coronation” rhythms are countered by beaming synth bars and vocoder lyrics with the Swedish pair pushing for the floor. “Cosmic Tribune” is the curtain close. Astral chords, spiralling key shifts and incising drums coalesce in this space inspired finale.
Squirrels on Film with a new 12″ vinyl record, featuring 4 cuts for the floor by Mummy Lord (Justin Aulis Long & Grey People), Religius Order, Steve Summers and a collaboration between C.L.A.W.S., Bill Converse & Tyrel Williams. Black hand stamped vinyl with Red Jacket.
20 years after production Operating System presents some 80s touched electro-pop and synth-disco action by the real Robotron himself. WINDOWS XP regards itself as the re:construction of a 2002 produced and so far unreleased 6 track album by Adalbert Kupietz, created just with the power of Roland Juno-60 and TR-808.
The Hipodrome Of Music 